Daniel Wesson Takes R.A.D. Automachine & T/A Engines SK Light Rookie of the Year Honors at Stafford Motor Speedway
Stafford Springs, CT — For the 2015 season at Stafford Motor Speedway, Monson, MA native Daniel Wesson made the transition from the Monday Night Wild Thing Kart ranks into the open wheel ranks of the SK Light division. As a 15-year old making the transition from karts to open wheel modifieds, it could be said that not much should be expected from such a young driver making that type of change. But Wesson proved to be the best of all of Stafford’s rookie drivers during the 2015 season, scoring three feature wins to lead all rookie drivers in any division at Stafford in that category and take home R.A.D. Automachine & T/A Engines Rookie of the Year honors.
“Rookie of the Year was a great accomplishment for us,” said Wesson. “Our goals for the season were to win a race, finish top-10 in the points standings, and win Rookie of the Year. We accomplished all of our goals and it was a good start for our modified racing team. I would like to thank Donnie from R.A.D. and Tony from T/A for sponsoring the rookie program at Stafford.”
As Wesson embarked on his rookie campaign at Stafford, he proved to be a quick study behind the wheel of his #92 Competitive Edge Coatings Chevrolet by winning in only his 8th career start. Wesson scored 10 top-9 finishes in the final 14 races of the season, including two more feature wins to bring his season totals to 3 wins, 7 top-5, and 14 top-10 finishes.
“Three wins was a surprise to us,” said Wesson. “We weren’t expecting for that to come so early in the season but it was an awesome accomplishment for our team. That first win was definitely a big confidence booster for the remainder of the season and to carry over into next year as well.”
Wesson was also able to lean on his crew chief, Brian Sullivan, for help during the season. With Sullivan’s experience in Stafford’s SK Modified® division, Wesson says that Sullivan’s input was a valuable asset to have during his rookie season as he made the adjustment from karts to SK Lights.
“I would say just getting a feel for the car with the different wheelbase was the biggest challenge for me,” said Wesson. “With the suspension and the wheels not directly behind you, you can’t feel the car slipping as much as you can with the go kart, so you have to adjust to that. Brian was a great mentor to have throughout the season and he is also a good friend.”
With the #92 team checking off and exceeding their preseason goals during the 2015 season, Wesson says that he and the team have their eyes set on the big prize for the 2016 season.
“Next season we’re going out for wins and we’d like to go for the championship,” said Wesson. “I have to thank Competitive Edge Coatings, Patriot Coatings, Monaco Ford, Ceric Fabrication, Smith’s Auto Body, Trackside Motors, Kopec’s Truck and Auto, and all of our contingency sponsors, Dunleavy Truck and Trailer Repair, NAPA, 811 Call Before You Dig, and New England Racing Fuel, Sunoco, Brian Sullivan, Mom and Dad, Glenn Edwards, Ted Kiessling, and Bobby Clay for all their help and support this season.”
For winning the 2015 R.A.D. Automachine & T/A Engines SK Light Rookie of the Year Award, Wesson will take home a $1,000 bonus from R.A.D. Automachine & T/A Engines, which will be paid in $100 increments for the first 10 races of the 2016 season that Wesson attends. Wesson will officially be crowned as the 2015 R.A.D. Automachine & T/A Engines Rookie of the Year at the 46th Annual Stafford Motor Speedway Champions Awards Ceremony on Friday, November 20 at Maneeley’s in South Windsor.
Tickets to the 46th Annual Stafford Motor Speedway Champions Awards Ceremony are $47 per person and can be ordered by calling the Stafford Motor Speedway track office at(860) 684-2783, or by downloading an order form from www.staffordspeedway.com and returning the form to the track office.
For more information, contact the Stafford Motor Speedway track office at 860-684-2783 or visit us on the web at www.staffordspeedway.com.
Sources: Scott Running/Stafford Motor Speedway PR